MST Golf Arena, The Gardens

MST Golf Arena

Words: Matt Brown
Photos: Rich Callahan

I have to confess to a slight trepidation before venturing off to The Gardens for some food, drink and virtual golf. Perhaps it was the idea of being sporty in public or imagining that this was some sort of incarnation of the greasy old bowling alleys I remember from my childhood. I will happily admit when I am wrong about these things, and boy, was I wrong. MST Golf Arena is an exciting new concept in food and entertainment, combining technology with exceptional service and quality that really elevates the entire experience of a fun night out.

Games at MST Golf Arena

When you first enter the impressive 40,000sq foot space on Level 2 of The Gardens, you’re immediately captivated by the Tech Bays, a row of ten separate areas where punters can swing at the screen with skill (or in my case, blind ambition). Bays can be hired for 55-minute slots and, depending on the time you choose on which day, range in price from RM60 – 80 on Monday to Thursday and RM70 – 90 Friday to Sunday.

You can set yourself up at a nearby table and order some delicious food and drinks while your party uses the clubs on the driving range or chooses a world-famous golf course like Pebble Beach or St Andrews on which to play. If you’re not all about a fully immersive golfing experience but would still like to hit a ball, one of the friendly technicians can set up the screen so that bowling or darts are the order of the day. The Football Zone, besides the Blue Tee Sports Bar, offers the chance to trade golf balls for soccer and have a kick for glory while your tablemates cheer you on (and steal your food).

There’s a great atmosphere at MST Golf Arena. Still, if you would prefer a more private experience, a Deluxe Suite can be booked for up to ten people, offering its own virtual green with comfy leather furniture and an attentive food and drinks service. The Deluxe and Executive Suites start at RM120 for 55 minutes for even more private luxury.

Puttview Zone is another innovation where patrons can play a variety of skill-testing games on the putting green, conveniently located beside the Red Tee Champagne Bar. Apart from the putting practice on offer, the technology can be lined up to provide Putt Pong, Maze drills and Tic Tac Toe, ensuring that every skill level is covered and enjoyment is optimised. Rates on the PuttView Zone green start from RM40 for 25 minutes.

If you’re feeling more serious about your golf experience, MST Golf Arena has PGA-certified instructors ready to offer their knowledge and expertise to improve your game.

Food Menu

So you’re already having a hoot of an evening with your friends, but then you all get a bit hungry. Here is where MST Golf Arena really distinguishes itself from other entertainment venues by offering a thoughtful, tasty and hearty range of eating options that are sure to please every amateur golfer, virtual bowler and wannabe soccer player in the group. General Manager Doris Marchardt has used her many years of experience working in luxury hotels to assemble a team of dedicated talents who are working hard to achieve excellence across the board. Chef Jeff Wong has crafted a menu that is Australian-inspired, which after being in Malaysia for almost a year, I realize means ‘fresh and clean’. The portions are large, and everything we sampled was met with some level of a raised eyebrow and grateful-sounding full-mouthed appreciation.

The Tee Box Restaurant and Bar is designed to encourage playing with the incredible gaming equipment, yet it could really be just as comfortable for people who want to eat in a location with a good level of energy.

For appetisers, do not go past the Jalapeño Bombs (RM28), which come presented in a smoke-filled box and are some of the cheesiest and creamiest you will ever pop. The Mezze Plate (RM58) serves 2-3 people – although our 4 couldn’t quite finish it – and is a tasty combination of house-made dips like spicy chipotle hummus, baby spinach and Turkish eggplant, along with mini chicken kebabs, labneh, Iraqi bread chips and lamb brik cigars.

The Lamb Ragu (RM38) was the mains item that I kept coming back to, with wonderfully seasoned slow-cooked lamb and perfectly al dente pappardelle pasta combining to make such a warm and comforting dish. The Tea Smoked Duck (RM56) features a set of six eye-catching charcoal bao stuffed with tea-smoked duck breast and house-made Peking sauce with sriracha, scallions, leek and cucumber. The Salmon Trout (RM50) was a light, and crispy pan-fried fish served with a wasabi, cucumber and fennel salad. The Arena Burger (RM55) is built for at least two people, with the brioche bun holding a juicy 200 grams of Black Angus beef, beef bacon, Charleston chilli, cream cheese, salad and homemade fry sauce.

Even the salads are huge and delicious – the Arena Salad (RM25) is a fresh and crisp combo of fennel, watermelon, butterhead lettuce and feta cheese with a just right amount of lemon vinaigrette. And you’re exercising with all of these sports, so go for it and order the “What A Mess” (RM25) – Chef Wong’s own take on the traditional Eton Mess, with beautiful meringue pieces, mixed berries, cream cheese, mascarpone and whipped cream creating a light and more-ish dessert to be shared (or scoffed when everyone is celebrating a hole in one).

I encourage you to read back over those items because, yes: this was all available at a virtual golf arena, and yes, it was all actually fresh and delicious.

Drinks Menu – MST Golf Arena

There are just as many choices available to rehydrate during your time at MST Golf Arena, beginning with the range of coffees, frappés, and teas from Harney & Sons. The fresh juice choices include the light and refreshing Peary Tales (RM17), which mixes pear, green apple and mint leaves.

A comprehensive cocktail list can take your experience to a different level, with colourful and classic offerings mixed in with a steady set of golf references. The Hole in One (RM35) is a zesty glass of fresh passionfruit and lime juice mixed with three-years aged Reserva rum. The vivid colours of the Butterfly Pea Flower Gin and Tonic (RM45) will illuminate your table all by itself, while the Sexy Tart (RM38) will put a sting in your swing with Stolichnaya Premium vodka, passionfruit puree and Bellenda Miraval Prosecco. The list goes on and on, with a generous range of whiskeys, rums, brandies, champagnes, beers and wines.

Those of you with eagle eyes will remember an earlier mention of the Red Tee Champagne Bar, where it’s hard to pass up the all-day Time to Wine offer of two glasses for RM60. You can choose from the bubbles of the Bellenda Miraval Prosecco or the Pasqua Passimento Romeo and Juliet Spumante Rose, both from Italy. There’s the Miraval Rosé Provence (France), with white wines available being New Zealand’s Kapuka Sauvignon Blanc and Australia’s Ferngrove Karri Estate Chardonnay. The red wines on offer for this deal are the Chateau Bois Pertuis from France and the BVWC Gravel Track Shiraz from Australia’s Barossa Valley. The attention to quality on the drinks menu speaks to the level of experience that MST Golf Arena aims to deliver for all visitors.

Reasons to visit MST Golf Arena: you will have fun with a capital F! Whether you’re watching happy golfers play while you enjoy the awesome food or partake in some sporty activity yourself, there’s something for everyone at this modern and very friendly entertainment complex. The staff are all incredibly friendly and helpful, while the surroundings are comfortable and relaxing. Go as a pair or in a group booking of up to 70 people, and you’ll find yourself having a brilliant time. Matt enjoyed discovering a new talent at putting, when not trying to eat all of the lamb ragu, Monica raved about the thoughtful wine list, and Rich thoroughly enjoyed the Jalapeño Bombs in all of their smoky glory. At the same time, Caning hogged the attention of the golf pro to refine his swing. This is a fun day out and was actually so enjoyable that Matt has managed to include not a single golf-related pun in this whole write-up – no small feat!

MST Golf Arena
S-214, Level 2, The Gardens Mall, Mid Valley City
+60 3 2201 8535
https://www.instagram.com/mstgolfarena/

MST Golf Arena Opening Hours
Sunday – Thursday: 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
Friday & Saturday: 10:00 am – 12:00 am

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